Cardiovascular
Menopause Can Be A Risk Factor For Cardiovascular Disease, Finds Study | Bengaluru News
Oct
Bengaluru: The International Menopause Society (IMS) has unveiled research ahead of World Menopause Day (October 18), shedding light on female-specific cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.
The research paper, titled ‘Reproductive milestones across the lifespan and cardiovascular disease risk in women’, underscores the growing number of milestones in a woman’s life associated with heightened CVD risks. “In publishing this paper, IMS aims to raise awareness of additional CVD risk factors which are sex-specific. They include conditions related to menstruation, menopause and adverse pregnancy outcomes,” a statement read.
The paper emphasises the need to see and address these risk factors to empower women and healthcare providers in preventing the development of CVD — a range of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, stroke, and vascular dementia.
“Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, CVD continues to be the leading global cause of death among women. According to the World Heart Federation, CVD is the most prevalent non-communicable disease worldwide, responsible for nearly 20.5 million deaths annually. It accounts for 35% of female deaths each year, surpassing the mortality rate of breast cancer by more than 13 times and exceeding all cancers combined,” the study read.
Risk factors for CVD in women encompass medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and high levels of fats in the blood (lipid elevation), alongside lifestyle-related factors such as obesity, unhealthy diet, sedentary living, smoking, and exposure to air pollution.
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